PC’s BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) is a chip on the motherboard that contains information to allow it to start up before the OS starts to load. You need to update the BIOS when the motherboard has to properly support a new hardware/processor. Even when bugs have to be fixed, PC’s stability or performance has to be improved, the BIOS has to be updated.
However, if anything goes wrong during the BIOS update, as if the computer gets turned off, then it cannot be booted and becomes useless. This is why you need to check if you really have to update your BIOS. Make sure to take a backup of all important data before updating BIOS. Likewise, creating a backup of BIOS itself is good. This will be done automatically, but if it needs to be done manually, then don’t forget to do it.
Follow these steps to update your PC’s BIOS:
- Identify the model of motherboard
Look in the user manual of the mainboard. Make sure to get the full name. Also, note down the revision number. If it’s a laptop, then you need to look for the make and model of the machine.
- Find the BIOS version
Bring up the Run window on your Windows system and type msinfo32. In the System Information window, select System Summary. The BIOS version will be displayed under computer’s processor speed. Note down the version number and date.
- Download latest BIOS file
Go to the motherboard, or the laptop’s manufacturer website, then look for support link. Look for Drivers and Downloads, or something like that. Download the BIOS update for your model. Also, do read any instructions about the exact updating process for the BIOS.
- Perform the Update
Run the downloaded installer or .exe file for BIOS update software. Sometimes you need to create a bootable USB drive or CD and copy files to it. Look for a ‘Press F10 for boot options’ or some similar option when the computer starts to bring up drives list.
- Restart computer
Once the update gets completed, update programs will restart automatically. Some updates will request permission, while others will warn before starting an update. Few more will prompt to restart the computer. Power off your system completely, and then restart it.
- Clear existing BIOS settings
This is not necessarily always. It depends on what features have changed between existing and updated version. To clear BIOS settings, look for “Restore Defaults” or “Load Fail-Safe Defaults” option. This might be on the main page of the BIOS utility or on the last page of a tabbed menu. To navigate use the arrow keys, and follow the on-screen instructions. After completion, save the settings and exit the BIOS utility.
Finally, you have to configure BIOS. If you know the settings required, change them now. If not, then it is not required to do so. Most computers will work just fine using the default BIOS settings. So now you know how to update PC. Make sure to follow the steps carefully else if anything goes wrong then your PC cannot be used again. Unfortunately, if something goes wrong and your hard drive stops working, then don’t worry. You can use Data Recovery software to restore data from dead hard disk drive. Even files from corrupted, formatted, crashed, repartitioned hard drive can be recovered.
